Subject: What’s a doppelganger?
We’re not sure which is more fascinating—the definition of doppelganger (look-alike) or the idea of having a doppelganger with similar DNA.
Researchers certainly do take on some intriguing studies. Motivated to find out why people who look alike yet have no family connection, a European research team just announced in the journal Cell Reports that “look-alike humans identified by facial recognition algorithms show genetic similarities.” They also found that look-alikes had other similarities such as lifestyle and weight.
Dr. Manel Estellar stated that the probability of doppelgangers has most likely existed for quite some time due to ongoing population growth. With internet and technology advancements, it’s easier now for people to find each other.
Since it was a small study, limitations suggest additional questions for future consideration: Will results be similar for larger studies? Will outcomes differ for people living in other parts of the world besides Europe, where the study was conducted?
There are great stories of people meeting their “twin.” There are also privacy and misidentification concerns about using facial recognition software in security settings and law enforcement. Same is true of companies that use the technology to make hiring decisions, or landlords relying on it to grant tenants building entrance. Still, if you’ve always wanted to be a twin, maybe a doppelganger is in your future?